Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Eschenfelder.
Hi Neil, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I spent most of my life in consumer electronics and photography equipment retail. From my very first full-time position at Shutterbug photo in Salt Lake City, I worked my way up to running multiple unit locations for AT&T Wireless and Gart Brothers Sporting Goods. I also worked in the SCUBA industry retailing equipment, teaching and conducting international trips. Along the way, in addition to teaching underwater photography, I began teaching photography at the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning department. I combined my teaching experiences when I went to work for Sandy, Utah’s, Pixels Foto & Frame where I taught classes, ran most store operations and launched their international photo safari program. Since retiring in 2018, I still teach for Lifelong Learning and conduct photo trips both domestically and internationally.
We all face challenges but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My AT&T experience contained the biggest bump. I ran the company’s 13 CORE stores in Utah and Idaho where, in 2002, we achieved #2 ranking nationally in percent to plan. My future never looked brighter. It was very difficult for me though, when 2003 brought upheavals in technology and our local market management programs along with drastic changes in industry dynamics. These factors resulted in my AT&T departure. I felt I still had a lot of “gas in my tank” but couldn’t locate appropriate opportunities in the wireless industry. I decided to go back to my first love, photography, and see what I might discover. Pixels Foto & Frame’s opening brought new camera store marketing concepts to Salt Lake City. Seeing their help wanted ad in the paper I tendered my application. We spoke a couple of times and they agreed to bring me on board for a 6-month trial. One of my goals at Pixels involved taking my international SCUBA trip experience and combining it with my love of travel and photography. Form these, I built Pixels’ international photo adventure travel program. With Africa first on my list, October 2005 saw Pixels Foto & Frame’s Africa Photo Safari the first of many international photo adventure travel voyages during my tenure. Had I not left AT&T, none of the fabulous photography opportunities and wonderful people I’ve met both domestically and internationally would have come my way. My six-month Pixels Foto employment trial resulted in me contributing to our mutual success and enjoyment for 13 and a half years.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I feel I can take new photographic and consumer electronics technology and teach nearly anyone how to use it. I’ve always been on the edge of innovation. My first jobs were in camera stores when Single Lens Reflex cameras were newly emerged at affordable prices. I rode that wave for several years. Wireless phone and digital photography technology were no different. My radio & tv broadcasting college degree helped prepare me for consumer-level video gear’s market evolution, a category, though the gear drastically changed, continuing imaging dominance today. I loved combining that with international adventure. What could be more challenging than telling someone you’re going to take them to zones where we might find international or domestic conflicts? We might go deep in shark-infested waters at night, teach them how to create photos and video, while having fun doing it? When digital photography overtook film photography, I became proficient in its use. Starting with film photography instruction then transitioning to digital, I am one of the University of Utah’s longest tenured Lifelong Learning instructors. 2021 marks my 22nd Lifelong teaching year. Except for COVID 2021, my class student counts climb each academic year.
2020’s pandemic fueled learning Zoom to continue teaching my classes online. Witnessing Zoom’s power, I reached out to my international contacts and began providing online digital photo classes. Since mid-2020, I have taught classes in India, Kathmandu, and Jerusalem. I’m currently working on continuing my in-person classes internationally as I work toward a class in Budapest, Hungary. I’ve taught in person in Kathmandu twice, both times in support of Wildlife Conservation Nepal with one session in front of the US Embassy and staff. I taught a class to 18 dedicated Palestinian photographers in Jericho, Palestinian Territories, one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I’ve found people, no matter their geographic location, are all trying to create great photographs, whether they are of their friends, families, or surroundings. A great image is a great image no matter where it’s made. The human eye differs not at all among people or races. I love learning how people see.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
People, no matter where they live, recognize good photos. They want the same things for their children including peace and harmony. Everyone wants happiness. Striving to create great photographs provides a sense of purpose. Sharing photographs of their world convey thoughts and feelings. My photography classes bring me in contact with people from around the world in person, on Facebook and Instagram. I love learning the way people see the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: neil@ngpadventures.com
- Website: ngpadventures.com
- Instagram: ngpadventures
- Facebook: neil’s great photography adventures
